Nectarine tree named &#39;Pearlicious XXII&#39;

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of nectarine tree,  Prunus persica , broadly characterized by a medium size, moderately vigorous, hardy, self-fertile, productive and regular bearing tree. The variety blooms during the mid season and requires about 525 chilling hours. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described in late May, with first picking on May 24, 2012. The fruit is uniformly medium in size, globose in shape, semi-freestone in type, firm and melting in texture, white in flesh color, virtually full red in skin color, and a tasty balance of light acid and sugar in flavor.

BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION

Prunus persica

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘PEARLICIOUS XXII’

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

In a continuing effort to improve the quality of shipping fruits, I, theinventor, typically hybridize a large number of peach, nectarine, plum,apricot, and cherry seedlings each year. I also grow a smaller number ofopen pollinated seeds of each of these fruits, usually to capturerecessive traits. The present invention relates to a new and distinctvariety of nectarine tree, which has been denominated varietally as‘Pearlicious XXII’.

In 2003 I made a first generation hybridization using ‘6P740’(unpatented) yellow flesh nectarine as the selected seed parent and‘Diamond Pearl’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,242) white flesh nectarine asthe selected pollen parent. The fruit of this cross was gathered thatspring and the seeds were removed from the fruit, stratified,germinated, and grown as seedlings on their own root in my greenhouse.Upon reaching dormancy that winter, the seedlings were transplanted as agroup to a cultivated area of my experimental orchard located near LeGrand, Calif., in Merced County (San Joaquin Valley). During the fruitevaluation season of 2007 I selected the present variety as a singletree from the group of seedlings described above. Subsequent toorigination of the present variety of nectarine tree, I asexuallyreproduced it by budding and grafting in the experimental orcharddescribed above, and such reproduction of plant and fruitcharacteristics were true to the original plant in all respects. Thereproduction of the variety included the use of ‘Nemaguard’ (unpatented)rootstock upon which the present variety was compatible and true totype.

The present variety is similar to its pollen parent, ‘Diamond Pearl’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,242) nectarines by producing white fleshnectarines that are sub-acid, sweet, firm, medium size with bitterkernels, but is quite distinguished therefrom by having globose insteadof reniform leaf glands and by producing fruit that is semi-freestoneinstead of clingstone and that matures about twelve days earlier.

The present variety is most similar to ‘Pearlicious I’ (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 22,758) nectarine by being self-fertile and producing white fleshnectarines that are nearly full red in skin color, firm in texture,sweet in flavor, and about the same size, but is distinguished therefromby requiring more chilling hours, by blooming later, by having globoseinstead of reniform leaf glands, and by producing fruit that issemi-freestone instead of clingstone in type, that has more acid, thathas a bitter instead of sweet kernel, and that ripens about three daysearlier.

SUMMARY OF VARIETY

In summary, the present nectarine variety is characterized by a mediumsize, moderately vigorous, hardy, self-fertile, productive and regularbearing tree. The variety blooms during the mid season and requiresabout 525 chilling hours. The fruit matures under the ecologicalconditions described in late May, with first picking on May 24, 2012.The fruit is uniformly medium in size, globose in shape, semi-freestonein type, firm and melting in texture, white in flesh color, virtuallyfull red in skin color, and a tasty balance of light acid and sugar inflavor.

DRAWING

The accompanying photograph consists of four whole fruits positioned todisplay the characteristics of the skin color and form, one dividedfruit to reveal the flesh and stone, a clean dry stone, two insets toreveal buds and blossoms, a typical tip shoot, and characteristicleaves.

POMOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Referring now more specifically to the pomological characteristics ofthis new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, the following has beenobserved under the ecological conditions prevailing near Le Grand,Merced County (San Joaquin Valley), Calif., and was developed at thestate of full ripe on Jun. 2, 2012, on the original tree during itsninth growing season. The blossom and flower descriptions were made theprevious blooming season. All major color code designations are byreference to the Inter-Society Color Council, National Bureau ofStandards. Common color names are also used occasionally.

-   Parentage:    -   -   Seed parent.—‘6P740’ (unpatented) nectarine.        -   Pollen parent.—‘Diamond Pearl’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,242)            nectarine.-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—Medium, reaching and maintaining a height of 10′ [3.05            m.] and a spread of 8′ [2.44 m.] after nine growing seasons            utilizing typical dormant pruning.        -   Vigor.—Moderately vigorous, responding typically to            irrigation and fertilization. The variety grows about 3′            [0.91 m.] of surplus top-growth during the spring and            summer. The plant should be grown on a standard commercial            rootstock for production purposes.        -   Growth.—Spreading and dense.        -   Form.—Vase type.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy with respect to central California winters.        -   Approximate chilling requirement.—525 hours.        -   Heat tolerance.—Observed to perform adequately in typical            central California climatic conditions, which typically            include extended periods of heat.        -   Drought tolerance.—Variety is developed for commercial            orchards and requires regular irrigation.        -   Production.—Very productive, thinning necessary.        -   Fertility.—Self-fertile.        -   Bearing.—Regular bearer with no alternate bearing yet            observed.        -   Trunk.—Size — Medium, reaching a maximum diameter of 4″            [101.6 mm.] after the ninth growing season. Texture —            Shaggy. Bark Color — A Strong brown [55. s.Br] and Brownish            gray [64. brGy] variegation with Moderate yellowish brown            [77. m.yBr] crevices. Lenticels — Approximate Number Per            Square Inch: 8. Color: Moderate orange yellow [71. m.OY].            Average Size: ⅜″ [9.5 mm.]. Shape: Eye-shaped, elongated.        -   Branches.—Size — Diameter of limb is 2½″ [63.5 mm.] measured            12″ above the crotch, 1⅜″ [34.9 mm.] measured 12″ above the            first fork. Texture — Smooth on first year wood, increasing            roughness with age. Color — 1st Year Wood Topside: Grayish            red [19. gy.R]. 1st Year Wood Underside: Brilliant yellow            green [116. brill.YG]. Second Year Wood: Strong brown [55.            s.Br]. Lenticels — Number Per Square Inch: About 45 on            second year wood. Color: Light grayish yellowish brown [79.            l.gy.yBr]. Average size: 1/16″ [1.6 mm.] on second year            wood. Shape: Eye-shaped, elongated.        -   Leaves.—Size — Medium. Average Length: 5⅛″ [130.2 mm.].            Average Width: 1⅝″ [41.3 mm.]. Arrangement — Alternate.            Thickness — Medium. Form — Elliptical. Apex — Acuminate.            Base — Acute to rounded. Surface — Smooth. Color — Dorsal            Surface: Moderate olive green [125. m.01G]. Ventral Surface:            Moderate yellow green [120. m.YG]. Margin — Finely serrate.            Venation — Pinnately net veined. Vein Color — Light yellow            green [119. l.YG]. Petiole — Average Length: 5/16″ [7.9            mm.]. Average Thickness: 1/16″ [1.6 mm.]. Color: Very yellow            green [115. v.YG]. Stipules — Number: Usually 2 per leaf, up            to 6 per growing tip. Average Length: ⅜″ [9.5 mm.]. Color:            Brilliant yellow green [116. brill.YG] becoming Deep reddish            brown [41. deep rBr] with maturity. Glands — Number: 1 to 6            per leaf. Position: Most are alternately positioned on the            petiold and base of blade. Size: Small. Form: Globose.            Color: Brilliant yellow green [116. brill.YG] becoming            Moderate reddish brown [43. m.rBr] with age. Leaf Buds —            Pointed, medium in size.        -   Flower buds.—Hardiness — Hardy, with respect to central            California winters. Diameter — Typically ⅜″ [9.5 mm.] 1 week            before bloom. Length — Typically ⅝″ [15.9 mm.] 1 week before            bloom. Form — Not appressed. Surface — Pubescent. Tip Color            — Moderate purplish pink [250. m.pPk].        -   Flowers.—Perfect, complete, perigynous, usually a single            pistil, about thirty stamens, five sepal and petal locations            alternately positioned. Type — Showy, large. Average Flower            Diameter — 1⅞″ [47.6 mm.]. Number of Petals — Mostly five,            extra petal fragments or double blossoms are occasionally            observed. Petal Shape — Circular to oval. Petal Margin —            Entire, slightly wavy. Average Petal Diameter — ¾″ [19.1            mm.]. Average Petal Length — ¾″ [19.1 mm.]. Petal Apex —            Rounded. Petal Base — Rounded to somewhat truncate. Petal            Color — Light purplish pink [249. l.pPk] toward the apex,            Deep purplish pink [248. deep pPk] toward the base on both            sides. Anther Color — Strong red [12. s.R] over a Light            yellow [86. l.Y] center at bloom onset. Stigma Color — Pale            yellow green [121. p.YG]. Sepal Color — Dark purplish red            [259. d.pR] on the outer surface. Sepal Length — ¼″ [6.4            mm.]. Sepal Width — 5/32″ [4.0 mm.]. Sepal Apex — Rounded to            elliptical to match the sepal length and width. Sepal Margin            — Fairly smooth. Average Pistil Length — ¾″ [19.1 mm.].            Average Stamen Length — 9/16″ [14.3 mm.]. Fragrance —            Moderate. Blooming Period — Medium, with ‘Spring Bright’            (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,507) nectarine. Onset of Bloom — One            percent on Feb. 19, 2012. Date of Full Bloom — Feb.            28, 2012. Duration of Bloom — One to two weeks, dependent on            ambient temperature. Number per cluster — 1 to 3 with single            flowers most common.-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity when described.—Full ripe, Jun. 2, 2012.        -   Date of first picking.—May 24, 2012.        -   Date of last picking.—Jun. 2, 2012.        -   Size.—Uniform, Medium. Average Diameter Axially — 2⅝″ [66.7            mm.]. Average Diameter Across Cheek Plane — 2 13/16″ [71.5            mm.]. Average Diameter Across Suture Plane — 2 13/16″ [71.5            mm.]. Typical Weight — 7.0 ounces [199 grams].        -   Form.—Uniform, globose, slightly compressed axially.            Longitudinal Section Form — Slightly elliptical. Transverse            Section Through Diameter — Round.        -   Suture.—An inconspicuous line located in a shallow groove,            that extends from the base to just past the pistil point.            Near the Base — A shallow sharp groove. Along the Side — A            shallow trough. Near the Apex — A shallow groove.        -   Ventral surface.—Rounded, lipped stronger toward the apex.        -   Lips.—Slightly unequal.        -   Cavity.—Flaring, slightly elongated in the suture plane,            suture showing on both sides, Yellowish white [92. yWhite]            stem markings typical. Depth — 7/16″ [11.1 mm.]. Breadth — 1            1/16″ [27.0 mm.].        -   Base.—Slightly truncate, cordate if viewed parallel to the            suture.        -   Apex.—Rounded, sometimes cordate if viewed parallel to the            suture.        -   Pistil point.—Apical, negligible in length, depressed within            the suture.        -   Stem.—Medium. Average Length — ⅜″ [9.5 mm.]. Average Width —            3/16″ [4.8 mm.].        -   Skin.—Thickness — Medium. Surface — Smooth. Tenacity —            Tenacious to flesh. Astringency — Non-astringent. Tendency            to Crack — Slight in wet season. Color — Dark red [16. d.R]            over a Strong red [12. s.R] background with areas of Pale            pink [7. p.Pk] where protected from sunlight.        -   Flesh.—Color — White [263. White], with some Moderate red            [15. m.R] to Grayish red [19. gy.R] flecking toward the            skin. Surface of Pit Cavity — Covered with Greenish white            [153. gWhite] to Pinkish white [9. pkWhite] broken fibers            when twisted from the stone. Amygdalin — Scarce. Juice —            Moderate, rich. Texture — Medium, crisp, melting. Fibers —            Abundant, fine. Ripens — Slightly earlier at the apex.            Flavor — A tasty balance of light acid and sugar, typically            16 to 18 brix. Aroma — Slight. Eating Quality — Very good.-   Stone:    -   -   Type.—Semi-freestone.        -   Form.—Oval.        -   Hilum.—Narrow.        -   Base.—Slightly oblique.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Sides.—Equal.        -   Surface.—Irregularly furrowed toward the apex, pitted toward            the base.        -   Ridges.—Rounded.        -   External color.—Dark orange yellow [72. d.OY].        -   Pit wall color when cracked.—Pale orange yellow [73. p.OY].        -   Cavity surface color.—Strong yellowish brown [74. s.yBr].        -   Average pit wall thickness.—¼″ [6.4 min.].        -   Average width.—1⅛″ [28.6 mm.].        -   Average length.—1½″ [38.1 mm.].        -   Average breadth.—⅝″ [15.9 mm.].        -   Tendency to split.—Slight.        -   Kernel.—Form — Oval. Skin Color — Dark orange yellow [72.            d.OY] when first removed. Pellicle Color — Dark yellowish            brown [78. d.yBr]. Vein Color — Dark yellowish brown [78.            d.yBr]. Taste — Bitter. Viable — Yes, using embryo culture            techniques. Average Width — ½″ [12.7 mm.]. Average Length —            ¾″ [19.1 mm.]. Amygdalin — Scant.-   Use:    -   -   Market.—Fresh market and long distance shipping.        -   Keeping quality.—Good. Fruit quality observed to remain in            good condition after 21 days in standard cold room at 36°            Fahrenheit [2° Celsius].        -   Shipping quality.—Good.        -   Resistance to insects.—No unusual susceptibilities noted.        -   Resistance to diseases.—No unusual susceptibilities noted.-   Other notes Although the new variety of nectarine tree possesses the    described characteristics under the ecological conditions at Le    Grand, Calif., in the central part of the San Joaquin Valley, it is    to be expected that variations in these characteristics may occur    when farmed in areas with different climatic conditions, different    soil types, and/or varying cultural practices.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, substantiallyas illustrated and described, that is most similar to ‘Pearlicious I’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,758) nectarine by being self-fertile andproducing white flesh nectarines that are nearly full red in skin color,firm in texture, sweet in flavor, and about the same size, but isdistinguished therefrom by requiring more chilling hours, by bloominglater, by having globose instead of reniform leaf glands, and byproducing fruit that is semi-freestone instead of clingstone in type,that has more acid, that has a bitter instead of sweet kernel, and thatripens about three days earlier.